KAUNAS, Lithuania — Žalgiris recorded yet another loss in Eurobasket Thursday, succumbing to Italian rivals, Montepaschi 72-83.

Montepaschi have been one of the high-flying teams in Eurobasket to date this season, having lost just the one game. Unfortunately, it makes for very different reading for Žalgiris, having just won one game.

The void between the front-runners of the competition and the also-runs was particularly evident in the first half with Montepaschi holding a commanding 49-32 lead at the break.

But with nothing to lose and all to play for Žalgiris came out a revitalized team in the second half, playing with a lot more confidence and having a lot more luck offensively, steadily eating away at Montepaschi’s lead to be trailing by just 5 (61-66) with a quarter to play.

Unfortunately this was as good as it got for the Lithuanians as Montepaschi recovered from the forgettable third quarter, rallying hard to take the game comfortably 83-72.

Žalgiris coach Gintaras Krapikas was optimistic following the loss, believing that his side is still improving and can still make the top 16.